Singapore Saloon | |
---|---|
Directed by | Gokul |
Written by | Gokul |
Produced by | Ishari K. Ganesh |
Starring | |
Cinematography | M. Sukumar |
Edited by | Selva R. K. |
Music by | Songs: Vivek–Mervin Score: Javed Riaz |
Production company | Vels Films International |
Distributed by | Red Giant Movies |
Release date |
|
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Singapore Saloon is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language coming-of-age film written and directed by Gokul, and produced by Ishari K. Ganesh under Vels Films International. The film stars RJ Balaji and Meenakshi Chaudhary in the lead role, alongside Sathyaraj, Lal, Kishen Das, Ann Sheetal, Thalaivasal Vijay, John Vijay and Robo Shankar, while Arvind Swamy, Lokesh Kanagaraj and Jiiva played cameo appearance roles.
The film was officially announced in November 2022 under the official title Singapore Saloon. Principal photography commenced early that year. It was predominantly shot in Chennai and wrapped by mid-December 2022, while additional photography was done in May 2023. The film has music composed by Vivek–Mervin, background score composed by Javed Riaz, cinematography handled by M. Sukumar and editing by Selva RK.
Singapore Saloon was released on 25 January 2024 to mixed reviews.
In a village, friends Kathir and Basheer dream big. Inspired by a local salon owner named Chacha, Kathir sets his heart on becoming a hairstylist. The story unfolds as Kathir faces challenges, pursues his passion, and strives to open his own saloon, the 'Singapore Saloon.'
In August 2022, it was reported that director Gokul, who was working on the sequel for Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013), titled Corona Kumar and starring Silambarasan, would begin working on a new project starring RJ Balaji, as Corona Kumar reportedly got shelved. [1] On 10 November, the project, with the official title Singapore Saloon, was officially announced by Ishari K. Ganesh's production house Vels Films International LTD. [2] Balaji stated that he received the offer to star in the film while filming for Run Baby Run (2023). He further revealed that, for his role, he trained with hairdressers for a month-and-a-half. [3] In late March 2023, Lokesh Kanagaraj, who has been a close friend with Balaji, and Jiiva, who worked with Balaji in Kavalai Vendam (2016), were announced to play cameo appearances in the film. [4]
Principal photography commenced in early‐2022. It was predominantly shot in Chennai and wrapped by 18 December that year. [5] Additional photography was shot in May 2023, where Kanagaraj's sequences were filmed. [6]
The music is composed by the composer duo Vivek–Mervin, [7] and background score by Javed Riaz. While marking both the duos' and Riaz's maiden collaboration with Balaji, it also marks the duo's maiden collaboration with Gokul while collaborating with composer Riaz for the second time after Anbirkiniyal . [8]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Paal Veedhiyil" | Uma Devi | Vivek-Mervin, Ravi G | 4:26 |
2. | "Vandha Mala" | Arivu | Arivu, Vivek Siva, Mervin Solomon | 3:22 |
Total length: | 7:48 |
Singapore Saloon was released worldwide on 25 January 2024 in theatres. [8]
A critic from The Times of India rated the film 2+1⁄2 out of 5 and wrote that "Gokul's attempt at magical realism, involving a surprise cameo from a star, who appears at the protagonist's doorstep, and a flock of parrots, works to an extent. The director also gives a new spin to scenarios that we have seen before". [9] A critic from Cinema Express gave the film the same rating and wrote that "The problem isn’t that these ideas aren’t good. The film does mean well and stands for sensible causes, but after the hilarity of the first half, it just feels difficult and wholly unnecessary to settle for a passable second half that hurtles through familiar roads to get to expected destinations". [10] A critic from The Hindu wrote that "What’s more astonishing is how RJ Balaji, in the name of taking a back seat, gets very little to do. Apart from being the character we follow and the narrator, Kathir gets thrown around because of circumstances and when he finally wins, they don’t resonate with us". [11] A critic from the Hindustan Times wrote that "The storyline of making hairstyling a noble profession and hairstylists as people, who deserve respect is good. But director Gokul has tried to bring together too many elements in Singapore Saloon and this is, sadly, its downfall". [12] A critic from OTTplay rated the film 2+1⁄2 out of 5 and wrote that "Singapore Saloon would have made up for a great comedy, given how the director gave one of best comedies of modern Tamil cinema through Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara. But the genre shift negates the genuine laughs the first hour of the film soaked you with". [13]
The streaming platform, Amazon Prime Video, acquired the digital rights for the film while the satellite rights were sold to Kalaignar TV. [14]
Jiiva is an Indian actor and film producer who works mainly in Tamil cinema and a few Hindi and Malayalam films. He is the youngest son of film producer R. B. Choudary. He began his career as a child actor in 1991 in films produced by his father. He made his debut as a lead actor in his father's 50th production, Aasai Aasaiyai (2003). After Sivaji Ganesan, Jiiva is the only Tamil actor to have been awarded at the Cyprus International Film Festival, particularly for his performance in Raam (2005).
The Vijay for Best Story, Screenplay Writer is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil (Kollywood) films.
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Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara, also referred to as Idhaaba, is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language comedy film, written and directed by Gokul. Produced by Leo Visions, the film stars Vijay Sethupathi, Ashwin, Swathi, Nandita, and Pasupathy. It was released on 2 October 2013. The film received positive reviews from critics and became a success. It was remade in Kannada as Jackson (2015).
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Gokul is an Indian film director who works in Tamil cinema. He is known for making entertaining and commercially successful films such as Rowthiram, Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara, Kaashmora, and Anbirkiniyal.
Kavalai Vendam is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Deekay. The film stars Jiiva and Kajal Aggarwal, while Bobby Simha and Sunaina play supporting roles. The film, which is said to be an urban romance "about first love, second chances and relationships", features music composed by Leon James, cinematography by Abinandhan Ramanujam and editing by Suresh. Produced by Elred Kumar, Kavalai Vendam released on 24 November 2016 while its dubbed Telugu version Entha Varaku Ee Prema released on 7 April 2017 to mixed reviews and did average collections. The film later gained further recognition after being published on OTT, noting it for its comedy.
Maanagaram (transl. Metropolis) is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, and produced by S. R. Prabhu. The film stars Sri, Sundeep Kishan, and Regina Cassandra, and its soundtrack was composed by Javed Riaz. It is the feature directorial debut of Lokesh Kanagaraj. The film was released on 10 March 2017 to positive reviews from critics. It was remade in Hindi as Mumbaikar (2023).
Kee is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language techno-thriller film written and directed by A. Kaleeswaran (Kalees) and produced by Michael Rayappan. The film stars Jiiva, Govind Padmasoorya, Nikki Galrani and Anaika Soti with RJ Balaji, Rajendra Prasad, and Suhasini in supporting roles. Featuring music composed by Vishal Chandrasekhar, the film began production during August 2016. Upon release, the film was met with negative responses from critics.
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Lokesh Kanagaraj is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer who works in Tamil films. He started his career with a short film in the 2016 anthology Aviyal. He later directed his first feature film Maanagaram (2017). He created the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) franchise after the commercial success of Kaithi (2019), the franchise's first installment. He directed Master (2021), a standalone featuring Vijay which emerged a commercial success during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was followed by Vikram (2022), the second installment in the LCU, with Kamal Haasan in the lead role, which emerged as one of the highest grossing Indian films. He then worked on Leo (2023), which became his most successful film, it became one of the highest grossing Indian films, earning over ₹600 crore (US$75 million) worldwide, collaborating with Vijay again and serving it as the third installment in the LCU.
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